Leopardo Completes 248,000-SF, 16-Story Historic Renovation for Hilton in the Chicago Loop

Leopardo recently completed construction on a 248,000-SF, 16-story adaptive re-use at 226 West Jackson Street in the heart of downtown Chicago across the street from Willis Tower. The building, formerly the headquarters of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and a National Historic Landmark building dating back to 1904, now features a dual-branded hotel with a 135-room Hilton Garden Inn, a 215-room Canopy by Hilton, as well as an independent rooftop restaurant and lounge.

The project consisted of a complete interior demolition and re-construction of 350 rooms and suites. The first floor features separate lobbies, amenities, and private meeting facilities. In order to add the new 16th floor level with a restaurant and lounge, the existing 15th floor structure was removed and re-constructed in its entirety. The project also featured the renovation of six elevators and the addition of a seventh, as well as emergency egress improvements and ADA compliance updates.

“We faced numerous challenges along the way, and we could not have asked for a better team to overcome them all and deliver this first-class project,” said Leopardo project executive Jeff Sauline.

Leopardo collaborated with developer Phoenix Development, construction management firm Daccord and Hartshore Plunkard Architecture to complete the project.

Photography © Matthew Dula